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Singer turned actor Azaan Sami Khan opened up about how he feels about his father, Adnan Sami Khan, and how their relationship affects other parts of his life in a very candid interview to Something Haute. “As a son, I understand him,” but, “as a Pakistani, he and I disagree on a lot.”

During the interview, which discussed his work on the drama serial Main Manto Nahi Hoon, Azaan said he got along well with Durrab Khalil — son of the show’s writer, Khalilur Rehman Qamar — and bonded over how controversial both their fathers are. The singer said his interactions with Durrab were basically, “two people with similar experiences in life hugging each other and asking, ‘You okay, bro?’”

This prompted the host to ask Azaan about the relationship he had with his father, who has been controversial ever since he renounced his Pakistani citizenship and moved to India. The actor said there were three aspects to it. He understands why his father did what he did, he loves and respects him, and the whole thing taught him a truth about the world.

Speaking about the first aspect, Azaan said his father is an artist and artists have very fragile hearts. He said Adnan faced some hardships, especially politically, which drove him to seek Indian nationality. Azaan said he understands it, but that he isn’t here to defend his dad; he can’t defend his father and it isn’t his place to either.

The actor said he “loved his father deeply” and respects him “in accordance with his religious beliefs”. Azaan lamented having been asked multiple times to denounce his father on public platforms, and said that’s not something he can bring himself to do. “I’ll always be his son,” he told the host.

Talking about what he learnt from the ordeal, the actor regretted that humans aren’t where they should be; there’s a lot of hate going around. He said he receives a small percentage of that hate every time he posts a nice picture of himself on Instagram and a comment calls him “the son of a traitor”. Azaan said he came from a family of patriots and that he loved his country. “Will I have to prove my patriotism all my life?” he asked.

The actor asked people not to “judge the son for the sins of his father,” but then clarified that he doesn’t consider his father’s actions to be a sin.

Talking about his beginnings as an actor and musician, Azaan said that he was always a very under-confident child. He remembered developing impostor syndrome because, in his view, any love or recognition he received was because his parents were celebrities. The singer said this pushed him into daydreaming, seeing himself in the place of the main characters in films and songs, which is where his “obsession” with the performing arts began.

About his mother, Zeba Bakhtiar, the actor said he sought her counsel in his career and agreed when the host said his mother was his “greatest critic”. He explained how his routine is to watch his dramas with his mom over dinner, then wait a day to let her fully analyse his performance before asking for a review.

Azaan said he was lucky to be working on Main Manto Nahi Hoon, because it meant working with some of the best people in the industry. He said he especially looked up to Humayun Saeed as a person as well as an actor.

He also recalled the slight awkwardness he feels working alongside Saima Noor — whom he first met as a child visiting drama sets with his mother. The actor said he apologises to Noor before shooting any scene where he has to be less than polite with her.